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Eluru

Municipal Corporation in Andhra Pradesh, India

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  • 11 chapters
District Collectorate of Eluru, constructed in 1932
IM3847 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Through Andhra Pradesh, Tehsil and Census of India

The city came into headlines after the outbreak in 2020, which was a significant event that drew national attention. The incident involved a mysterious illness that affected hundreds of people, leading to widespread concern and a major public health response. It is situated in the Krishna River Delta region, and is known for its fertile agricultural lands. The city is intersected by various rivers and canals. Kolleru Lake, one of the largest inland freshwater lakes in India is located within a few kilometers from the city.

Eluru has made significant contributions to Indian film and arts through several notable personalities like L. V. Prasad, Silk Smitha, Sekhar Kammula etc. The city plays a crucial role in regional commerce, Eluru is renowned primarily for its pile carpets, though it also manufactures textiles and leather goods. Additionally, the city serves as a key trade hub for fresh water fish, lemon, rice, oilseeds, tobacco, and sugar. Located on the Golden Quadrilateral, the city is well-connected by road, rail, and airways. Alluri Sitarama Raju Stadium, situated in Eluru, is a prominent sports venue named after the celebrated Indian freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju. Eluru's educational landscape includes several notable institutions, such as ASRAM Medical college, Sir C.R. Reddy Educational Institutions, etc, which contribute to the city's reputation as a centre for learning.

History

Toponymy

The city was part of the Vengi Kingdom and served as the capital during the Buddhist kingdom's rule, where it was known as 'Helapuri'. It was also called Erla Uru before being renamed Ellore by the British. To avoid confusion with Vellore, which had a similar pronunciation during the Nizam rule, Ellore was referred to as Uppu Ellore (i.e. Salt Ellore), while Vellore was called Ra Vellore or Raya Vellore.

Early and medieval history

The history of Eluru dates back to the second century CE and has great prominence in the history of Andhra. Vengi near Eluru was the capital of Andhra from the second century to the twelfth century, ruled by Salankayanas, Vishnukudinas, and Eastern Chalukyas. Vengi was the capital city of Andhradesa for more years than any other city in Andhra Pradesh.

The Salankayanas ruled from the third to the fifth century CE, with their domain centred around the Vengi region and Eluru serving as their capital. Known as Šalaňkayana after their Gotra name, they were feudatories of the Ikshvakus. The historical significance of the Salankayanas is highlighted by the inscription of their first known king, Devavarman, in Eluru (Ellore), where he recorded performing the Ashvamedha sacrifice to mark his successful establishment of the kingdom. The Salankayanas are considered one of the elusive kingdoms of Andhra, with their timeline corroborated by references in the Samudra Gupta inscription mentioning Hastivarman of Vengi.

In the late fifth century, the Salankayanas were conquered by Madhavarma II of the Vishnukundinas. During the reign of Madhava Varma the Great, they became independent and conquered coastal Andhra from the Salankayanas and might have shifted their capital to a place in coastal Andhra. Eluru was a major city of the Vishnukundinas. Vishnukundin reign might be fixed between the end of the Salankayana and the rise of the Eastern Chalukyan power in 624 AD.

Eastern Chalukyas, or Chalukyas of Vengi, were a dynasty of South India whose kingdom was in the present day Andhra Pradesh. Their capital was Vengi near Eluru and their dynasty lasted around 500 years from the seventh century until 1130 AD, when the Vengi kingdom merged with the Chola empire. The Vengi kingdom continued to be ruled by the Eastern Chalukyas (Eastern Chalukyan kings) under the protection of the Chola empire until 1189 AD, when the kingdom succumbed to the Hoysalas. They had their capital originally at Vengi, now Pedavegi, near Eluru and was later changed to Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry).

After the defeat and capture of Prataparudra II in 1323 AD, the annexation of the region from Nellore to Rajahmundry, including Eluru. A Persian inscription from the same year by Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq is found on the main gateway of the large mosque in Rajahmundry. Additionally, coins of this Sultan have been discovered in a village near Eluru. Nearly all of the Telugu country had come under Muslim rule by 1324 AD Eluru was captured by the Kakatiyas and then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471 AD. Later, it fell into the hands of the Gajapatis. In 1515, Srikrishnadevaraya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, The region fell under Qutb Shahi dynasty in c. 1565 AD and subsequently became part of the Mughal Empire in 1687.

Modern history

In the early 17th century, the East India Company was establishing its foothold in the Indian subcontinent amidst the complex political landscape of the Mughal Empire. In 1689, after Mughal forces occupied the Vizagapatam factory and seized Company servants, the renewal of the factory's lease was secured, including for Eluru. The President of Fort St. George informed the Governors of Eluru and other factories about the reconciliation with the Mughals. Due to threats from local bandits, the Company requested permission to fortify the Vizagapatam factory, which Nawab Asad Khan granted in April 1689.

In 1724, the region was integrated into the Nizam of Hyderabad's dominion. In 1748 AD, Nizam-ul-Mulk died, leading to a succession dispute between his son Nasir Jung and his grandson Muzaffar Jung. Both, however, were ultimately overthrown due to the machinations of their subordinates. As a result, Salabat Jung, the third son of Nizam-ul-Mulk, was elevated to the throne with the support of the French. Between 1750 and 1850, the Northern Coromandel region, including Eluru, witnessed significant political and administrative changes. In 1753 AD, Salabat Jung granted the provinces of Kondapalle, Eluru, Rajahmundry, and Chicacole to the French East India Company as a means to maintain their military forces. In the mid-18th century, the power struggle between the French and British East India Companies significantly impacted the region around Eluru. By December 1758, during the Carnatic wars, British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Forde began a series of military operations in the Northern Circars, including the area around Eluru. This was part of a broader strategy to weaken the French position in the Deccan and support local allies. On 20 October 1758, British troops arrived at Visakhapatnam, subsequently advancing to Eluru. By 6 February 1759, British forces reached Eluru, and by 3 March, they neared Masulipatnam. The French commander, Conflaus, had sought assistance from the Nizam of Hyderabad, Salabat Jung, but British pressure led to the eventual surrender of Masulipatnam on 8 April 1759. Salabat Jung, the Nizam of Hyderabad, initially allied with the French but was forced to retreat after a treaty with the British, after the rebellion by his brother, Nizam Ali Khan. In 1760, Nizam Ali Khan sought British assistance in his conflict with the Marathas, offering the cession of Eluru and two other Circars. Although the British couldn't spare troops, they suggested to Hasan Ali Khan, the fauzdar of Eluru, to lease the five Northern Circars to them in return for half the net revenue. In 1762, Nizam Ali Khan ousted Salabat Jung and usurped the throne, leading to the British occupying the Circars, including Eluru, under the sanads delivered by Hasan Ali Khan. When Nizam Ali Khan demanded the return of the sanads and the restoration of the territory, he appointed Buddea Jemah Khan as the new fauzdar in 1763. However, Jemah Khan struggled to maintain authority after the withdrawal of British troops and was forced to take refuge in the fort of Eluru when the Raja of Vizianagaram captured Rajahmundry. By 1766, a treaty was concluded where the British agreed to hold the Northern Circars, including Eluru, on payment of tribute and the provision of troops. Hasan Ali Khan's administration ended with the expiration of his lease in 1769, and Eluru, along with Rajahmundry and Kondapalle, was placed under the direct control of the British, managed by the Chief and Council at Machilipatnam. This agreement was part of a broader strategy by the British to secure their interests in the region and stabilize their position against other regional powers.

In AD 1785, disputes over estate management, including Eluru, led to unrest. During this period, Eluru's revenue management was intertwined with neighboring estates such as Polavaram, Gutala and Kothapalle. The early history of the zamindari of Eluru is not well-documented. By AD 1786, Tirapati Raju, the zamindar of Mogalthur who owns Eluru, fell behind on payments, which led to the estate being taken over by the Company. Revell was appointed to oversee the estate with assistance from Bhupayya, the zamindar's diwan, and the zamindar eventually settled his debts faithfully. In AD 1791, following the death of Tirapati Raju and an insurrection led by Jagga Raju, the Mogalthuru zamindari, including Eluru, was annexed to the Company's dominions and leased out. The renters, Bhupayya and Venkatarama Raju, failed to meet their obligations and fled, leading to further disturbances. In AD 1794, the Masulipatnam district, including Eluru, was reorganized into three collectorates with headquarters at Mogalthuru, Cocanada, and Rajahmundry, with Eluru under Rajahmundry's jurisdiction.

During British rule, Eluru was a military station and the capital city of Northern Circars, a division of the Madras Presidency. In the Madras Presidency, the District of Rajahmundry was created in 1823. It was reorganized in 1859 and was bifurcated into Godavari and Machilipatnam districts. Eluru was a part of Machilipatnam district after the division of the Northern Circars. In 1859, it was included in the Godavari District; later, it was made a part of the Krishna district. During British rule, Rajahmundry was the headquarters of the Godavari district, which was further bifurcated into East Godavari and West Godavari districts in 1925. When the Godavari district was divided, Eluru became the headquarters of West Godavari district. In 2022, Eluru district was carved out of West Godavari and includes the Assembly constituencies of Eluru, Chintalapudi, Nuzvid, Denduluru, Unguturu, Kaikalur and Polavaram.

Indian independence movement

In 1894, the farmers of Krishna district held a conference in Eluru to protest against the increased water rates, refusing to cultivate their lands until the rates were reduced. After attending the All India Congress Committee meeting in 1921, Mahatma Gandhi visited several coastal towns, including Eluru, to promote nationalism. During his visit, he inaugurated the Gandhi Andhra Jateeya Mahavidyalayam, a National College aimed at spreading higher education in the city. After the decision of the All India Congress Socialist Party (AICSP) to organize provincial parties, the Andhra Pradesh Congress Socialist Party (APCSP) was formed in June 1934. The main goal, as articulated by N. G. Ranga, was "to convert the Congress to socialism" and to expand the party's influence throughout Andhra. Branches were established in Eluru, Guntur, Gudivada, and Bezawada. Initially, the party focused on organizing conferences, holding meetings for socialist propaganda, and hosting tours by national leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Jawaharlal Nehru. Members of the All India Khadi Board visited Eluru, urging people to produce and use khaddar, which led to a significant increase in demand, causing local depots to struggle to keep up. The district's political awareness was further demonstrated during the Simon Commission's visit in 1928. The Eluru Municipality passed a resolution supporting the boycott of the Commission and ordered the closure of all municipal institutions on the day they arrived in India.

During Mahatma Gandhi's individual Satyagraha in 1941, Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the movement in Andhra. After Sitaramaiah's arrest, Venkata Raju was appointed as his successor with Gandhi's approval on 19 March 1941. Venkata Raju subsequently traveled to various Andhra towns, including Eluru, to build support for the Satyagraha. His efforts were notable in Eluru and other locations such as Guntur, Vijayawada, and Kakinada. Venkata Raju's activism continued during the Quit India Movement, where he led underground efforts in Guntur district before his arrest in Tenali on 3 September 1942.

Dalit Movement

Under the chairmanship of Bhagya Reddy Varma, the First Andhra Desa Panchama Conference was held in Bezawada (Vijayawada) on 4–6 November 1917. Varma's efforts included extensive tours across Andhra Districts, with Eluru being a notable stop. His advocacy led to a significant shift in government policy. The Government of Madras, influenced by these pressures, issued G.O.No. 817 on 25 March 1922, replacing the term Panchama with Adi-Andhra in Andhra.

In 1944, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar visited Eluru during his tour of Andhra Pradesh. Ambedkar used his platform to criticize Gandhi, asserting that Gandhi's policies were unsuitable for India and likening them unfavorably to Abraham Lincoln's approach. Despite his criticism of Gandhi, Ambedkar's visit was significant for Eluru's Dalit community. His speeches inspired local untouchables, leading to increased self-consciousness and activism. Ambedkar's visit was well-received, and he was presented with Welcome Addresses by various local associations, including the Vaisya Association, Backward Classes Association, and Prema Samajam. Ambedkar's visit to Eluru and other Andhra towns, along with the government's support for the upliftment of untouchables, marked a period of significant social and political change in the region. His influence helped galvanize local leaders and activists, contributing to the broader Dalit movement in Andhra Pradesh.

Eluru outbreak

On 4 December 2020, Eluru experienced an outbreak of neurological symptoms, including seizures and loss of consciousness. Within three days, approximately 500 people were affected. Multidisciplinary teams from WHO and AIIMS, Mangalagiri were dispatched to investigate the outbreak. The team collected biological samples, including blood and urine, from 112 participants, comprising 103 cases (77 active cases and 26 recovered) and 9 controls. Water and food samples were also gathered to identify potential sources of contamination. Analysis revealed that Triazofos, an organophosphate pesticide, was present in 74% of blood samples and its metabolites in 98% of urine samples from affected individuals. Heavy metals, including lead and mercury, were within permissible limits, and no mycotoxins were detected in food samples. While municipal water sources were free of pesticides, household water contained Triazofos at an average concentration of 1.00 μg/L. The investigation concluded that Triazofos pesticide contamination in household drinking water was the likely cause of the outbreak. Recommendations included enhanced surveillance for residual pesticides in soil, water, and food, as well as an intersectoral approach involving government and public health agencies to identify contamination sources. Promoting rational pesticide use and conducting educational programs were also advised to prevent future outbreaks.

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